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Alpharetta seeks to keep tax rate at existing level With home values up, tax bills may increase By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com
PHOTOS BY DELANEY TARR/APPEN MEDIA
Local band The Madame Vega performs on an outdoor stage at Alive in Roswell on Canton Street on May 18.
Roswell comes alive during street festival By DELANEY TARR delaney@appenmedia.com
woman shouted walking through the crowd. Alive in Roswell isn’t quite the size ROSWELL, Ga. — Despite of Atlanta’s annual music rainy weather on May 18, festival, but the monthly crowds packed Canton Street event attracts thousands of for 2023’s second Alive in visitors. Roswell festival. Hosted by On average, city officials the city, the free monthly said the event garners about festival runs from April to 5,000 attendees. From 5-9 October, with live music, food p.m. they can shop from over trucks and local vendors. 75 vendors, watch live music “I feel like I’m back at See ALIVE, Page 4 Shaky Knees,” a young
Task forces formed for Canton Street ► PAGE 3
Roswell City Councilwoman Christine Hall bartends at one of the Top Job Beverage and Events tents to raise money for the Children’s Development Academy at Alive on Roswell on Canton Street on May 18.
First Roswell bonds headed to market ► PAGE 6
Newspaper files suit over public records ► PAGE 14
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta homeowners whose property values have risen may pay a higher tax bill this year if the city’s proposed tax rate is approved. The Alpharetta City Council approved its first reading of the fiscal year 2024 millage rate at a public hearing May 22. City Finance Director Tom Harris announced the tax rate on property – or mill levy – will remain at 5.75 mills, the same rate since 2009. While the city estimates Alpharetta homeowners will save $6.7 million in taxes from homestead exemptions, it also announced it expects a 7.74 percent increase in property tax revenues, primarily due to new development and increases in existing property values. The city estimates the tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $550,000 will be $39.83. A nonhomesteaded property with a fair market value of $1,175,000 would pay an additional $164.50 in taxes. Councilmembers also unanimously approved the first reading of the budget ordinance for the upcoming fiscal year. Harris said the only change since the last published budget was the addition
See TAX, Page 4